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My Card Company Awards

Hey guys, Drew back here, I felt like sharing my thoughts on the 2009 products with you. Very soon the nominees for the blog awards will be announced, but for now, here are my standings on some of the awards based on card companies & products from 2009, baseball and football:

Card Company of the Year:

5. Other: Not really much other than the 4 big companies to pick.

4. Tristar: Obak was a big hit, and of course Projections is a big seller with the prospectors.

3. Panini/Donruss: These guys kinda came back, it looks like they have done well in football & basketball thus far.

2. Upper Deck: The folks at Upper Deck didn't have a stellar year like 2008 but some big products were released, Goodwin Champions, O-Pee-Chee, and I really like Ballpark Collection.

1. Topps: Let's just say that Topps outdid themselves this year, almost every product this year came out on top. Their flagship set was the best in forever, including Turkey Red and Legends of the Game inserts certainly helped that. Products like Allen & Ginter, Triple Threads, 206, Unique, Finest, Heritage, Topps Chrome, and I don't know about you but I liked Ticket to Stardom too! Other than Topps Attax, all the products were thought out really well and Topps deserves an A for effort this year!

Baseball Product of the Year:

5. O-Pee-Chee: This set didn't have big expectations, but going to Target to find a nice, well designed 1.59 pack made me happy. Some of the cards looked a little scary but I think it gets in my Top 5.

4. Upper Deck Ballpark Collection: One of the best high end products available, because you will get at least one good hit in the box, unlike taking chances at Triple Threads or Sterling. Although the players paired on the same card have no meaning to be with each other, I must say that it helps with player collectors, more cards of their player in the set. I haven't bought the product at all but have bought 2 Cano dual jerseys, a 6 swatch with Cano, a Swisher Auto jersey, and I traded with Beardy for a Swisher 8 swatch.

3. Topps 206: Although I have been at Target/hobby shop 1 time in the past like, 3 months, and haven't purchased any packs of this stuff, I bought a Cano jersey and it is really nice. The design is untouchable and although it has it's flaws, we can't expect perfection. The photography is hit or miss but the hit's look incredible. The SECOND best retro set this year for me.

2. Topps Chrome: Hopefully, at some point in the future I can complete this set. (Speaking of completion, I'm gonna have a set completed very soon) I haven't put up a wantlist yet, but haven't really bought enough yet to try. The design is sweet and although most of us hate the World Baseball Classic kindling, the refractors are SWEET! And on card autos, how can you go wrong?

1. Topps Allen & Ginter: One word to describe this product: Wow. This was by far the best release of this product so far, and Topps hit a walk off, grand slam, out of the park home run on this set. Beautiful photography and the design can not be denied. Add in a nice relic/autograph design plus the possibility for rip cards and red ink autos, and wood cards, wow.

Football Product of the Year (so far)

gotta go a little faster now...

5. Topps Mayo: Sweet old school design and great relics. Plus the inclusion of NFL legends makes the second year in a row release a hit. But, the reason it isn't higher is the horrible autograph design, but let's not talk about that now.

4. Absolute Memorabilia: The high end product everybody wants. Again, it's hit or miss, but it is way popular with the collectors and is a best seller, so why not.

3. Topps Flagship: Yeah, I should've put this in baseball too, but, the football design was pretty nice this year, glad they didn't use the same design as baseball, it would get old. Great job again Topps!

2. Upper Deck Philadelphia: Sweet set, bought one pack only so far, but pulled a D-Bowe auto, now in the hands of the bearded wonder. The design again is very cool and there are some very nice on card autos.

1. Topps Chrome: Now, this is how to make a product kiddies! I love the chromified design of the base, plus the great refractors, this is a hit!

Baseball Insert of the Year: Propaganda Posters, from Topps Updates and Highlights

Very unique set, I don't think it's ever been done before.

Football Insert of the Year: National Chicle, from Topps

Again, cool retro design, I think 2009 was the year of the retro(ness)

Baseball Autographed Set of the Year: Allen & Ginter framed autographs

Simply.... amazing

Football Autographed Set of the Year: Gridiron Gems from Gridiron Gear

These are case hits in this product, and the autograph pulls out, and they are really cool. I managed to pull one of Dexter Jackson in last year's version, and it is sweet!

Ok, those are the product awards we will be running. These may not be our nominees, they're just my votes. I'm gonna have some mail up from Saints of the Cheap Seats tomorrow or Tuesday, we'll see. See Ya!

Big Mailday!

Hey guys, Drew back here. I haven't posted much lately because I have been focused mainly on school, and really haven't had much time for cards. I'm looking to catch up on stuff for everyone that I owe, plus get some cards for my friend for his birthday, plus work on my own PC. I actually have become interested in other Yankees lately, especially due to some rumors that Swisher could get traded. I also want to get the Granderson rookie card since he was just added to the team. Honestly, I don't want the Yanks getting Halladay because I don't want guys like Swisher, Cabrera, Gardner, Cervelli, or Jesus Montero's jobs in jeopardy, and don't forget Hughes & Joba. So, anyway, here is some of the mail I've gotten recently. Some sweet stuff in there, be sure to check it out!

Smaller Wantlist:

Need these!!!!

2009 Allen & Ginter Sketch Card 2 (Griffey Jr.)
2007 UD Masterpieces Cards #16, 54, 67
Curtis Granderson RC
Any Cano/Swisher Topps 206/Topps Unique/Goodwin/Sp Authentic/Ticket to Stardoms

Let me know by email, yanks1996wsc@gmail.com

See Ya!

Grandpa Roy Answers

Hey guys, Drew back here, sorry about the LONG wait on these answers, the awards have been my main focus, and same with this Yankees deal, and catching up on trades, but, I do have the answers for you, even though you guessed them all right, I'll give you some provided info on each team. Here's the question again if you forgot:

In the NFL, teams who have competed for championships frequently have had strong defenses with colorful names. What teams do the following names refer to?

Fearsome Foursome:

1960's Los Angeles Rams

Consisted of:
David "Deacon" Jones, Lamar Lundy, Merlin Olsen, Roosevelt Greer

Once Greer was added to the team, this defensive line became known as the Fearsome Foursome, a line that Dick Butkus claimed "the most dominant defensive line in football history". In the 1970's, Olsen was still around, but Jack Youngblood, Fred Dryer, and Larry Brooks joined him in the new "Fearsome Foursome"

Purple People Eaters:

1960's-1970's Minnesota Vikings

Consisted of: Jim Marshall, Alan Paige, Gary Larson, and Carl Eller, and many more

These 4 guys and the rest of the defense during this time frame brought the Vikings to 4 Super Bowls. They were named after the color of their uniforms, and a song by Sheb Wooley called "Purple People Eaters".

Orange Crush:

1970's Denver Broncos

Consisted of: Randy Gradishar, Tom Jackson, Lyle Alzado, Rubin Carter, Bob Swenson, Joe Rizzo, Billy Thompson, Louis Wright, and more

This great defense's name came from the color of their uniforms, and the popular soft drink, Orange Crush (or Crush), that was around at the time. In the 1977 Super Bowl losing season, they had the number 1 defense against the run.

No- Name Defense:

1970's Miami Dolphins

Consisted of: Nick Buoniconti, Bill Stanfill, Manny Fernandez, Dick Anderson, Jake Scott, and more

This defense was head during the Dolphins 1972 undefeated season. They won all 17 games that season, winning the Super Bowl over the Redskins. They were named the No Name Defense because the Miami offense were the only ones to get good recognition at the time.

Sack Exchange:

1980's New York Jets

Consisted of: Joe Klecko, Marty Lyons, Mark Gastineau, Abdul Salaam

Of course, my favorite team has to get in on this. In 1981, the Jets had a winning season, but were eliminated in the 1st round of the playoffs. Klecko and Gastineau were Pro Bowlers, and that team combined for more than 40 sacks that year!

Steel Curtain:

1970's Pittsburgh Steelers

Consisted of: "Mean" Joe Greene, L.C. Greenwood, Ernie Holmes, Dwight White, Jack Ham, Mel Blount, and many more

The Steel Curtain was named because it won a contest on WTAE radio in 1971 for best nickname for the team's defense. Gregory Kronz, a 9th grader at the time, won the contest with the Steel Curtain. This was one of the greatest defenses of ALL TIME, it was unstoppable. Joe Greene became a Hall of Famer, and L.C. Greenwood made the 1970's All Decade Team. This team averaged 3.1 points per game, and they won 4 Super Bowls during the time.

Doomsday:

1970's Dallas Cowboys

Consisted of: Harvey Martin, Jethro Pugh, Ed "Too Tall" Jones, Randy White, Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson, D.D. Lewis, Bob Bruenig, Mel Renfro, Cliff Harris, Charlie Waters

This team was another great defense. In the year 1978, Harvey Martin had 20 sacks and led the team to the Super Bowl, where they beat the Denver Broncos. Renfro & White would eventually be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Monsters of the Midway:

Chicago Bears- Different Eras

Consists of: Mike Singletary, Dick Butkus, William "Refridgerator" Perry, Brian Urlacher, many more

The Bears have had great defenses in their history in the NFL, starting with Butkus, and now Urlacher. The team has been called this long before the NFL, it started in 1940/1941 when they were dominant. The name died down until 1985 when the Bears defense was dominant, and they won the Super Bowl.

So, I added your points to the board if you got any right from this question. Spastik Moose is now in 1st with 11.5 points. The prizes will be announced as soon as I figure out what they are, and maybe a final question of the year will be announced soon. I have no school today, a lot of ice on the roads right now, which is great. Maybe I can get those trades posted later, but for now, see ya!

Yankees Winter Trade EXCITEMENT!!!

Hey guys, Drew back here, I think I am forced to post about our very close to becoming our all star center fielder, if that makes sense. I have good news, and some bad news:

Let's start with the bad news, for me. Yesterday the Yanks traded Brian Bruney to the Nationals, for a player to be named later. Sure, he wasn't all that effective last year, BUT, he is going to the WORST TEAM IN BASEBALL!!!!! So basically, he won a world series, and got shipped to the worst team in the league. Hopefully he gets back on track and has more opportunities. I sure did like Mr. Bruney when I met him, and I feel really bad for him. I currently have 3 of his autographs, one on 8x10 and 2 cards. See you later Brian, I hope you enjoy playing for one of the worst teams in baseball history!

More bad news, no more Austin Jackson or Phil Coke. Austin is a big prospect for the Yanks, but I feel kinda glad for him because he was stuck in a big issue, because the Yankees have 2 young center fielders already, he would never get any opportunity to play. Phil Coke was starting to become one of the Yankees best relievers, as a ROOKIE, and now he's gone. I really liked all 3 of these guys, but they may have more success in a different jersey, other than Coke.

First good news isn't anything major but, IAN KENNEDY IS GONE!!!!! YAY!!! I'm pretty sure in 2008 he went 0-11 with like a 10 E.R.A. Sure I feel bad that he got Tommy John surgery, but he didn't fare very well in New York, the concrete jungle where dreams are made of!

The second good news, is actually awesome news. The Yanks are getting Curtis Granderson from the Tigers in a 3 way trade with the D-Backs also involved! Max Scherzer is going to the Tigers, along with Austin Jackson & Coke, and Edwin Jackson/Ian Kennedy are going to the D-Backs. The Yanks are getting a close to 5 tool player, a gold glove caliber center fielder that has been an all star before! AWESOME!!! I don't know if you remember, but I got this back in the mail from Mr. Granderson a little while back, here it is if you forgot:

Anyway, this is some pretty awesome stuff the Yanks are doing here, but you gotta remember that to get something you MUST give something, and unfortunately 2 of my faves are now gone! I can't wait to see if they are going to keep Pettitte, Damon, and Matsui, you never know! See Ya!

I got a few trades I need to post but my scanner is really annoying and it's gonna be tough to get it all posted, lots of stuff came in yesterday.